Scouter Steve Gleasman (in blue) wears the “three W’s,” uses a sled to keep from carrying a heavy pack, and keeps his water bottle tucked inside his coat. These tricks and more are just some of the strategies leaders learn during the Northern Tier Okpik Cold Weather Leader Training held annually in January.
Toes cold? Put on a hat. Your body loses up to half of its total heat in 40-degree temperatures. So, when it’s below freezing and you’re head is uncovered, you could be radiating more than three-fourths of your overall body heat from your head.
Get off your rear end. If you’re sitting on a snow bank or a cold rock, you’re conducting the heat from your body into the surface of the object beneath you. Often, Northern Tier cold-weather campers stand and sit atop thin foam pads.
Beware of frosty fuel. Pouring fuel into a stove? Put on a pair of thick rubber gloves. If it’s sub-zero outside, so is the fuel (since it doesn’t freeze like water). Spill it on your hands and you will have instant frostbite.
Baggy clothes are back in style—at least in the freezing-cold wilderness. Your body heats itself most efficiently when it’s enveloped in a layer of warm air. If your clothes are too tight, you’re strangling the cold right out of your body. Dressing in loose layers helps aid this convection layer of air. Tight clothes or too-tight boots can also restrict blood-flow.
The three W’s: Every cold-weather camper needs to dress for the occasion. You’ll need a wicking layer (long underwear), a “warm” layer (fleece), and a “wind” layer (waterproof shell).
Bundle up! It might be a phrase often heard from your mother, but mom is right about this one. If you’re moving around outdoors in the cold and suddenly stop to eat lunch or take a break, put your warmer layers on—even if you’re not cold. This change in activity will cause your body heat to plummet. Preempt the cold with an extra layer.
Fuel the fire. Feeling cold? Eat a snack. Staying warm is just like keeping a fire burning; every fire needs a steady supply of slow-burning fuel. Unlike a fire, you’re body will also need lots of water to help digest food and stay hydrated.
Wet feet? Grab a bag—a bread bag, that is. The long plastic bag can stretch over your foot and serve as a liner between your sock and your boot.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR STAYING WARM? SHARE THEM IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.
EXPLORE MORE
Read more about the cold-weather camping training at Minnesota’s Northern Tier High Adventure Base.
Learn how to build sturdy snow structures when camping in the forth season.
In addition to the suggestions already made remember the golden rule: sweat will chill you faster than the wind. Pace yourself so that your movement doesn’t cause you to sweat profusely. If you feel the drip down your back, it’s too late. The faster you walk the more you must vent. Up Zipping: un-zipping your shell from the belly up is a vastly overlooked way to vent, yet is very effective.
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Can’t have fun if you’re cold and you will be cold if you are wet. Brush loose snow off your buddy. Change into NEW dry clothes at night (everything especially socks underwire).
Mittens keep your hands warmer than gloves as the shared finger warmth is not dissipated by the air space between gloved fingers. There are glove/mitten combos available that cover the wrist/palm/lower fingers and have a flap that can cover the tips of the fingers or leave them open to manipulate items. Mine have come in handy (no pun intended) on several frosty trips here in Virginia.
Keep feet from sweating by using antiperspirant on feet every day weather gets cold. Only use silk, wool or layers that transport moisture away and out . Stay dry, hydrated well fed and warm. Use hats, balaclavas, mittens as needed. Just be prepared.
All the above are good effective techniques. I’ll add an addendum to the baggy clothes and bundle up techniques: Dress in several layers of wool, polyester, down and nylon. I love having Merino wool as my first layer; it’s soft and very warm and transfers moisture to my next layer (fleece) very well. When it’s really cold and I’m just standing around I use down as my top insulator, and just to emphasize the 3rd W: ya gotta have wind protection and nylon is the best. This includes your legs!
My wife would say to stay inside by the fireplace. One tip that I use, is to wear two pair of socks with a plastic bag inbetween the socks. You can use Walmart/Kroger bags, produce bags, ice bags (without the ice of course). They are thin but hold in body heat pretty well.
After putting something on your head put something around your neck. It’s a great way to regulate your body temperature as you move and rest.
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Before getting the foot wet – when the high for the day is below 14 deg F (dry cold), put the plastic bread bag on the foot (under the sock) as a vapor barrier.
Don’t know how well fleece keeps you warm when it is wet. I do know that wool keeps you warm wet or dry (but cost some bucks). Second had stores are a good place to look for wool clothing at a good deal.
Almost forgot. Stay away from cotton.
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